News / June 2023 Constructi... June 30, 2023

June 2023 Construction Updates

June 30, 2023 Update

Base Area

The Range Food & Drink Hall is open as of June 16
Burgess Creek Beach is open following sediment removal work.
Sod has been installed in front of Christie Peak Express lift.

Wild Blue Gondola

Foundation work is being done on the top terminal on the upper section of Wild Blue Gondola.
Helicopter work to install towers for the upper section of Wild Blue Gondola is underway.

Mahogany Ridge

Lower terminal foundation work for Mahogany Ridge Express lift is in progress.
Staging of chairs and terminal equipment will be taking place in the Meadows lot.

Snowmaking Installation

Sunshine area snowmaking installation will begin on High Noon over the next few weeks.

June 6, 2023 Update

Snow Removal and Construction Prep

Snow removal continues to prepare access roads and staging areas.

Wild Blue Gondola

Gondola towers for the upper portion of Wild Blue are being staged in the Meadows Parking lot and will move to multiple staging areas across the Resort.
Snow removal on the upper section tower foundations of the Wild Blue Gondola will begin over the next few weeks.
Helicopter delivering hardware and installation equipment for installing towers for upper section.

Mahogany Ridge

Snow removal on the future location of the lower terminal of Mahogany Ridge Express will begin next week.

Mountain Maintenance

Incredible efforts in storm water control and sediment capture from runoff have been operating as planned this spring.
Work is currently underway to flush the creek from top to bottom to clear sand and sediment from daylighted section of Burgess Creek near the base area. The process will take 2-3 weeks and will result in a cleaner creek while allowing for some maintenance projects to be completed. The creek is expected to be running and open for play when this project is complete.

News / May 2023 Constructio... May 2, 2023

May 2023 Construction Updates

May 2, 2023 Update

Snow Removal/Resort Cleanup and Construction Prep

Since the Resort closed on April 16, mountain crews immediately began snow removal on Why Not Road below Vagabond
Bags have been placed in construction areas to capture sediment and prevent it from making it’s way into Burgess Creek. The bags look like giant pillows (see photo below) and will filter solids and allow for clean water to drain out. The bags can be reopened after filtering and the sediment can be used as soil elsewhere on the resort.

Wild Blue Gondola

Gondola towers for the upper portion of Wild Blue are being staged in the Meadows Parking lot.

News / Steamboat Enters Fin... March 24, 2023

Steamboat Enters Final Phase of Full Steam Ahead

In 2021, Steamboat Ski Resort embarked on the largest redevelopment of the resort in history with a 3 year, $220+ million project named Full Steam Ahead. With full financial and on-the ground support from parent company Alterra Mountain Company, the initial stages of Full Steam Ahead quickly became a complete transformation of Steamboat’s outdated base area. Now, as the project nears completion with its third phase, Full Steam Ahead looks to transform the on-mountain experience with an additional 655 acres of expert terrain and the second leg of Wild Blue Gondola, making it the longest, fastest 10-person Gondola in North America.

“When we started the process of Full Steam Ahead we had a long wish list of a Master Plan that had been decades in the making,” said Rob Perlman, president and COO of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “To now be in the final phase and see Full Steam Ahead become a reality is beyond words. I especially like seeing the reaction from our staff and guests each year. First it was excitement about the escalators, then the fully completed base area, and now to finish with on-mountain enhancements is like the cherry on top. Winter 23/24 will be a new era for the resort, but we’ll always be the same Steamboat at our roots.”

The two major components of Full Steam Ahead Phase III are:

Mahogany Ridge & Fish Creek Canyon Expansion: Steamboat Ski Resort becomes the second largest ski resort in Colorado with the addition of 655 acres of advanced/expert terrain to skier’s right of the resort’s current boundary. Fish Creek Canyon (350 acres) and the area previously known as Pioneer Ridge (305 acres) have been in the resort’s permit area for numerous years but were not considered in-bounds until approval in 2021. Previously accessible via backcountry gates and hike-to-access, Mahogany Ridge Express will offer lift service as a new highspeed detachable quad and Fish Creek Canyon will continue to be expert terrain with an estimated 20-25 minute hike back to the bottom of Mahogany Ridge Express. The expansion area will remain uncut except for the lift line and boundary trail, and skiers and riders should expect a variety of expert terrain and conditions including rock cliffs, chutes and tree glades. Once open to the public, Steamboat Ski Patrol will monitor and maintain the area including potential avalanche mitigation, but varying conditions may be encountered at any time.
To meet this need, Steamboat Ski Resort has introduced an avalanche dog program with two inaugural dogs beginning their training during the 22/23 winter season. Daisy is a 1.5-year-old black lab and Mudd is an under 1 year old Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix who have both begun validation through Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment certification. The process of validation can take up to two years and Daisy and Mudd are expected to be ready to deploy by winter 24/25.

Wild Blue Gondola second leg: In December 2022 Steamboat debuted the Wild Blue Gondola, a 10-person Doppelmayr machine spanning 4,000 feet from Steamboat Square to Greenhorn Ranch. Beginning spring 2023, Doppelmayr and Steamboat crews will add the second leg of the gondola spanning 16,008 horizontal feet and 3,371 vertical feet to the top of Sunshine Peak. With a complete ride time of approximately 12 minutes from Steamboat Square to 10,397 feet and featuring 177 total cabins, Steamboat’s uphill capacity will nearly double to 10,000 skiers per hour. Upon completion, with an expected opening in late November 2023, Wild Blue Gondola will be the longest, fastest 10-person gondola in North America.

Full Steam Ahead has completely reimagined Steamboat Ski Resort with completion of Phases I and II, which introduced an escalator to eliminate numerous stairs; Skeeter’s Ice Rink an outdoor free skating rink; the Mountain Stage, home to Steamboat’s legendary free music concerts; the Range Food & Drink Hall- slated to open Summer 2023; Greenhorn Ranch- a terrain-based, on-mountain dedicated beginner’s area; the first leg of Wild Blue Gondola, relocation of Christie Peak Express lower terminal and removal of the Mountain Coaster and mini golf course; and Creekside Plaza with guest features including a new Ski Patrol headquarters and UCHealth Urgent Care Clinic.

For more details on Full Steam Ahead including a complete timeline and projects already completed visit www.steamboat.com/FullSteamAhead.

News / VIDEO: Learn to Ski ... March 21, 2023

VIDEO: Learn to Ski or Ride at Greenhorn Ranch

News / VIDEO: Commissioning... November 8, 2022

VIDEO: Commissioning Process to begin on Wild Blue Gondola

We’re a few weeks away from Opening Day and wrapping up many of the Full Steam Ahead Phase II projects. The Wild Blue Gondola will soon undergo a 30-day commissioning process as we transition from construction phase to being fully operational for our skiers and riders. Vice President of Operations, Dave Hunter, explains more on this process.

News / November 2022 Constr... November 2, 2022

November 2022 Construction Updates

November 2, 2022 Update

Steamboat Square/Base of Resort

Light poles, fire pits, twinkle lights are being installed in the plaza.
Roofing work is being completed on the stage. The Mountain Stage is scheduled to debut on Opening Day- November 23.
Rink rails are being installed along with a drink rail around the perimeter. Ice will be made on the rink beginning 11/14. Skeeter’s Rink is scheduled to debut on Opening Day- November 23.
Stone façade continues to be installed on The Range Food & Drink Hall. Interior framing continues with modifications to layout. Roofing will be installed depending on weather. Windows have been installed on both floors of building.
Deck installation for the lower terminal of Christie Peak Express lift is underway and RFID gates will be installed this month. The pull rope splice was completed in October. Commissioning process will begin this week.
Pavers installed around the lower terminal for Wild Blue Gondola and the platform is complete. Haul rope splice was completed in October. Minimum 30 day commissioning process will soon begin.

Greenhorn Ranch

Flooring and fire alarm being installed in the Sprung Structure.
Mid-station terminal work on Wild Blue Gondola continues and platform.
Greenhorn Ranch Express lift pull rope splice will be completed this week. Commissioning process to follow in early December.
Magic carpet installation is underway.

News / October 2022 Constru... October 13, 2022

October 2022 Construction Updates

October 13, 2022 Update

Steamboat Square/Base of Resort

Light poles, fire pits, twinkle lights are being installed in the plaza.
Stone work and roofing is being completed on the stage.
Concrete was poured on the ice rink at the end of the September and will cure for four weeks. The rink will be pained this week. The railings will be installed next week.
Stone façade has begun installation on The Range Food & Drink Hall. Wood siding on the building will begin at the end of the month. Framing has begun on the second floor. A metal roof will begin installation next week followed by glass and glazing at the end of October.
The deck for the lower terminal of Christie Peak Express lift has begun and RFID gates will be installed mid-October. The pull rope will be spliced on October 20.
The haul rope for Wild Blue Gondola happened this week.

Greenhorn Ranch

Interior framing, drywall, electrical, and plumbing work continues in the Sprung Structure.
Mid-station terminal work on Wild Blue Gondola continues and platform will be complete by end of October.
Greenhorn Ranch Express lift drive station enclosure will be built at the end of October and the pull rope will be installed in early November.
Final grading work is underway for the Greenhorn Ranch Express lift.
Work on magic carpet installation and snowmaking infrastructure continues.

News / The Range Food &... October 10, 2022

The Range Food & Drink Hall

The newly redesigned Steamboat Square at the base area will feature a brand-new food and drink hall that has the feel of an indoor/outdoor lunch and après lounge. Adjacent to Skeeter’s Ice Rink and with stunning views of Steamboat Resort, The Range Food & Drink Hall will welcome guests with a bar on each of the two levels, along with a fittingly wide range of cuisine options to meet everyone’s palate.

Aptly named, The Range will feature four different dining options for guests at Steamboat Resort. Twister Tacos will serve street-style tacos along with churros for dessert, Sunshine Bowl will warm your soul with a variety of ramen bowls, Pioneer Pies will feature pizza, a ski area must-have, and Why Not Sandwich Shop will offer fresh salads and sandwiches. If you are familiar with Steamboat Ski Area, you will notice the clever tie-in with the names of each dining option, named after several trails and areas across the resort.

To accommodate guests and make their dining experience as comfortable as possible, The Range will utilize a QR-code ordering system. Guests will simply find a table, get cozy, and then be able to order right from their table at their very own leisure. Once the order is ready, a text message will be sent to the guest letting them know that their food is ready to be picked up. If you are placing orders at different food stations, you will need to place a separate order for each station, but once an account is created, the process really is quite simple. While the focus will be on a QR code ordering system, there will still be an option to place an order directly with an employee if needed.

The Range Food & Drink Hall will feature two different bars, one on each level. Along with the four food stations, the bar on the first level, or ground level, will be a full-service bar. Just outside of the food hall there will be ground-level firepits for guests to gather around and watch people ice skating on the adjacent Skeeter’s Ice Rink. The bar and lounge area on the second level will have all the bells and whistles with an indoor lounge oriented around a fireplace to keep guests warm and cozy, along with an outdoor lounge featuring plenty of sunshine and beautiful views.

Once complete and ready for the doors to open, The Range Food & Drink Hall will offer coffee and hot chocolate in the mornings, but the primary focus is on lunch and après ski. Currently the windows are going in and the goal is to have the building dried in before winter settles in Steamboat Springs. The Range Food & Drink Hall is scheduled to open in 2023, so stay tuned for more details and information to come.

The inspiration behind the design of The Range Food & Drink Hall was a barn to reflect the strong ranching heritage of Steamboat Springs. You’ll notice beautiful, reclaimed timbers that will be the pillars for the interior and exterior of the building, along with design accents featuring cowboy hats, leather, suede, denim and rope. The build and design will portray Steamboat Springs’ heritage in a modern way, and the functionality of having a wide range of dining, bar and seating options will be a fantastic new addition to Steamboat Square.

Written by: Erin Campbell

News / Helicopter Activity ... October 6, 2022

Helicopter Activity Impacts

Multi-use trails at Steamboat Ski Resort are open this summer but may be impacted due to helicopter operations through July. Trails may have detours or delays from 6 a.m. into the late afternoon depending on weather and flight opportunities. When helicopters are done flying for the day, impacted multi-use trails will be available for riding and hiking; likely in the evening hours.

Impacts will be listed and updated below:

October 6-7, 2022

Helicopter impacts with periodic/rolling closures on trails will include Sunshine, Pioneer, Valley View, Thunderhead Hiking Trail, Why Not Road (all vehicle traffic), So What, Moonlight.

August 28, 2022

Helicopter flying rebar and form packages for tower bases 27 – 37 of Wild Blue Gondola.
Closed trails will include Pete’s Wicked, Sunshine, Why Not road, So What road, Four Points road, and Hogan’s Park.

August 7, 2022

Helicopter flying towers 8, 9, 10 of lower Wild Blue Gondola line.

Beginning July 23, 2022

No helicopter activity

July 19 – 22, 2022

Valley View Trail and Thunderhead Trail will be impacted.
Mahogany Ridge Area: Creekside Trail, upper section of Zig Zag, So What Road, lower Pony Road, and Pioneer Trail will be impacted.

July 13 – 17, 2022

No helicopter activity. Tree work on Pioneer may impact trail access.

July 6 – 12, 2022

Mahogany Ridge Area: Creekside Trail, upper section of Zig Zag, So What Road, lower Pony Road, and Pioneer Trail will be impacted through 7/12.

July 2 – 5, 2022

No Helicopter Activity

June 27 – July 1, 2022

Wild Blue Gondola Lift Line: Four Points Road (logging trucks) will be impacted through 7/1.
Mahogany Ridge Area: Creekside Trail, upper section of Zig Zag, So What Road, lower Pony Road, and Pioneer Trail will be impacted through 7/1.

June 24, 2022

Wild Blue Gondola Lift Line: Sunshine Trail, Four Points Road, and Why Not road will be impacted
Mahogany Ridge Area: Pioneer Trail will be impacted

June 22-23, 2022

Helicopter activity is on hold today, no trail impacts. Check back tomorrow for updates.

June 21, 2022

Wild Blue Gondola Lift Line: Sunshine Trail, Four Points Road, and Why Not road will be impacted
Mahogany Ridge Area: Pioneer Trail will be impacted

News / The Steamboat Stage:... September 22, 2022

The Steamboat Stage: A New Hybrid and Dynamic Space

The Steamboat Stage in the heart of Steamboat Square will have a new and improved look to welcome guests back for the 2022/2023 winter season. As part of Full Steam Ahead, the new stage with a new orientation will be another exciting improvement for Steamboat Resort guests to enjoy.

If you are familiar with Steamboat Resort, the new stage will be in the same location as the previous stage, but with a different orientation. Facing into Steamboat Square, the new stage will allow for better and more open sight lines and easier viewing from multiple locations throughout the base area. New timber frames on the stage will echo the design of The Range Food and Drink Hall and escalator, ultimately creating a more cohesive Steamboat Square experience. With a narrower and higher design, along with an open back, guests will also be able to enjoy fantastic views of Steamboat Resort behind and adjacent to the stage.

In the past, the stage has predominantly been used for concerts or special events, but the new Steamboat Stage is transitioning into more of a hybrid space that can be used for a variety of functions, as well as additional seating for The Range Food and Drink Hall when it’s not in use. Music concerts are at the heart of the Steamboat experience, and those will continue as they have in the past. Other events such as Meet & Greets with Olympians, educational outdoor talks, dance performances, magic shows, storytelling events and photo experiences will also be hosted on the new stage. In the summer, the space will be used for yoga classes, outdoor movies, yard games and more. With a new and improved look, the Steamboat Stage will be a hybrid and dynamic space in the heart of Steamboat Square.

Steamboat Stage is scheduled to be ready for Opening Day, and there are some exciting events lined up for the season including the New Year’s Eve Light Up Snow Cat Parade, the Music Fest at Steamboat, the 60th Anniversary Celebration for Steamboat, the 48th Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill, the Steamboat Light the Night Celebration, the Bud Light Rocks the Boat Free Concert Series and Springalicious. While that is a fun and exciting list, there will also be times when the stage is not in use and the base area is a bit more quiet. During those times, the Steamboat Stage will be a gathering location and a place to enjoy lunch or après ski while also enjoying the views of beautiful Mount Werner.

Steamboat Resort has an impressive list of improvements that are part of Full Steam Ahead, and the new hybrid and dynamic Steamboat Stage will certainly bring a lot of fun and entertainment to the heart of Steamboat Square.

Written by: Erin Campbell